16:08 Exeter

Sunday 9 February 2025

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3316:0816:43

TrustATrader Fully Vetted Tradespeople Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:09 | Winning time: 5m 9.32s

Flash Gorcombe^t³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford| OR: 112| CD

6/1

Fourth chase win of his career when wide-margin winner over C&D (heavy) 6 weeks ago. A 7 lb rise may not be enough to stop him with yard remaining in good in form.

Form: 2118-71

Sherborne^t⁶⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 109

5/1

Off the mark over fences in the mud at Wincanton last winter. Returned with creditable runner-up efforts over C&D and at Newton Abbot (21f) in October and shaped like a non stayer when a well-held fourth back at Wincanton last time. Respected back down in trip.

Form: P32-224

Bonza Boy^p⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 106| CD

15/2

The first of 2 wins in the mud last spring came over C&D but he hasn't fired in 2 comeback runs this winter. Best watched until showing more.

Form: 2112-0P

Looking For Larry³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Jake Bament⁽⁷⁾| T: T Dennis| OR: 106| C

10/3

Second course handicap hurdle success when seeing off 10 rivals over 21.5f here on New Year's Day under this rider. A 7 lb rise looks manageable if taking to fences at the first attempt (point winner).

Form: 6516/01

Haas Boy⁷⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 105

6/1

Failed to meet market expectations several times last season for Charlie Longsdon and similar story both starts for this yard this term. Expensive to follow.

Form: 532P-38

Fire Dancer^p1³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 105

12/1

Made a winning start for this yard on the back of a lengthy absence at Ludlow in January 2023. Proved inconsistent since but has been given a chance by the handicapper and can't be ruled out in first-time headgear.

Form: 520-245

Time To Bite^b⁵²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour| OR: 92| CD

14/1

Got back on the up when making all at Newton Abbot in May and continued in good heart when runner-up at Fakenham 13 days later. However, he hasn't fully fired in 3 starts since returning from a break in October so needs to bounce back.

Form: 2-1246P

Valirann Gold^p,t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Ned Fox⁽³⁾| T: H Brown| OR: 89| D

17/2

Modest chaser who recorded his best effort this season when 1¾ lengths second over 17.5f here (heavy) 27 days ago, though was possibly flattered from 8 lb out of the handicap. More will be needed to go one better this time.

Form: 23-3632

Tribesmans Glory²²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-3| J: Ben Ffrench-Davis⁽⁵⁾| T: C J Down| OR: 85

9/1

Ended losing run with a narrow success at Warwick in May and resumed with a good second at Taunton in November. Shaped as if still in good form back at a trip that seemed to stretch him there since so not taken lightly.

Form: 26-6126

Non-Runners

Longshanks²⁷

Weight: 11-13| Age: 11

T: K Woollacott J: Non Runner

Brulure Noire¹⁵

Weight: 11-11| Age: 8

T: R Bandey J: Harry Bannister

Forecasts

Looking For Larry (10/3), Sherborne (5/1), Haas Boy (6/1), Flash Gorcombe (6/1), Bonza Boy (15/2), Valirann Gold (17/2), Tribesmans Glory (9/1), Fire Dancer (12/1), Time To Bite (14/1), Brulure Noire (14/1), Longshanks (16/1)

FLASH GORCOMBE has a terrific strike rate (successful 6 out of last 13 starts over fences) and should have more wins in him judged by his wide-margin success over C&D on New Year's Day. Looking For Larry landed a gamble over hurdles on the same card and this point winner is an interesting chase debutant, while Tribesmans Glory and Sherborne should both benefit from this shorter distance.